Commemorative guns

[Green Frog]

As I've read through this thread, it would appear that I share feelings with many others here. Commemorative or special issue guns carry now special attraction for me unless they are in some special caliber or have some feature(s) not commonly available otherwise. I want my guns to shoot, not just to sit in the safe accruing value, that's why I feel OK about buying used guns in somewhat marginal condition and building customs to suit my own purposes.

Having to pay extra for a gun somebody else designed to be "special" and then not even shoot it may appeal to some folks, but not to me.

Froggie

 

[Hair Trigger]

I've seen some commemoratives or 'special limited editions' that were quite puzzling -

Have seen a similar commemorative Colt SAA done for a neighboring county's sheriff's office. A Colt SAA .45, 7.5" nickeled.
Umm - this is NC, not exactly SAA lawman territory. Not sure why that was the selection for that purpose.

Coastal NC is the Wild-Wild East.

 

[bobbyd]

Collectible Commemorative

Many, many people (especially sellers) confuse firearms that are meant to Honor or Commemorate an event or agency with firearms that are Collectible.

There is a reason that we have two different words in the dictionary . . . Commemorative and Collectible.

Some Commemoratives achieve collectible status over time. The FBI Model 27 and the Texas Range Model 19 are both highly sought after by many Collectors

I happen to like many Commemoratives, especially those that have extra embellishments like the Deluxe Texas Ranger or the Deluxe Texas Sesquicentennial Commemorative

Most of the value of the revolvers pictured above exists because of their special embellishments, not because of what they Commemorate

As to Commemeratives that do not carry unusual embellishments, if in unfired condition, they will sometimes bring a premium over a similar model if you happen upon a person that admires what is being commemorated. However those firearms usually sell for what a good used example of that model will sell for or sometimes even less. For example the Chicago PD Model 66 that Jughed440 mentions above

Once you start shooting a Commemorative, then it is just another shooter (unless it is highly embellished), even to those that would have paid a premium for it because they admire or were part of what is being commemorated

Local gun store has two Springfield Armory Commemorative 625's.
One is the original prototype in 44 Magnum complete with sample engraving approval plates...the other is the very first .45acp production gun with Serial Number SAC0000. Both are in the box.
To my mind, these two are much more than the run of the mill commemorative; two prelock "Mountain" style guns, one a prototype and the only one in its caliber and the second being the first in a run of only 500 guns. Documentation from the S&W distributor but no factory letter...but what the heck, just go to page 197 of the 2nd edition of the S&W Standard Catalog and look at the picture! Now these, to me, are true "Collectible" Commemoratives.

 

[Xfuzz]

I have stumbled upon a couple that were priced right.
I find these Colt's make great shooters...both pre 70's.

 

[HorizontalMike]

Personally, I only like commemorative guns if YOU, yourself, have a personal connection to the gun and that it is a protected example of what you truly like.

Other than that, IMO, you should buy what you want and do shoot on a regular basis. One must have fun...

To me, a truly commemorative gun is one you luckily purchased at the very beginning of that gun's model year/life. Just my opinion...

 

[mojave30cal]

I posted a thread last month on this 29-3 Elmer Keith Commem-
orative revolver I picked up back in December of last year.
Now, like most, I don't think commemorative guns are worth
the money. However, this one was different on many levels.
I had been looking for a model 29 .44 magnum, but the prices
are sky high. I wanted a mountain gun / truck gun / conceal
carry revolver with punch.

This 29-3 is one of 2500 made, but only the first 100 were the
" Deluxe" model with additional gold inlay and factory ivory
magnas. This one was number 14. As you can see, it was in
a fire and suffered smoke damage to the bluing. The ivory
grips also were discolored by the smoke.

I took it completely apart, except for the rear sights. and soaked all the parts in a penetrating oil. The inside was cruddy,
but cleaned up well. I put a little oil in spots, and put it back
together. All the springs still had their temper, and it functions
great. The front red ramp sight did not melt, so I have a nice
shooter grade truck gun that is very unique for a fraction of
the cost of a nicer model 29.

I plan to shoot it in the spring with .44 special cowboy loads.
I'll decide then if I want to put a few .44 magnums rounds
thru it.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I posted a thread last month on this 29-3 Elmer Keith Commem-
orative revolver I picked up back in December of last year.

This 29-3 is one of 2500 made, but only the first 100 were the
" Deluxe" model with additional gold inlay and factory ivory
magnas. This one was number 14. As you can see, it was in
a fire and suffered smoke damage to the bluing. The ivory
grips also were discolored by the smoke.

I took it completely apart, except for the rear sights. and soaked all the parts in a penetrating oil. The inside was cruddy,
but cleaned up well. I put a little oil in spots, and put it back
together. All the springs still had their temper, and it functions
great. The front red ramp sight did not melt, so I have a nice
shooter grade truck gun that is very unique for a fraction of
the cost of a nicer model 29.

Even with the fire damage, it's a great looking gun. The bluing has a sort of "Holstein" look, or like a paint horse.

What's the story on the fire? That gives it some history for later.

 

[Jason Demond]

It depends. There is commemorative, and then there is commemorative.

The commemorative...

I bought a 25-3 125th anniversary commemorative last year. It is literally a 43 year old classic Smith that was new in box, with all the extra bits for the price of what a new N frame would go for.

It has a special roll mark, and a little gold colored grease paint in said roll marks. It could be stock looking with the use of some solvent and a tooth brush. I bought it to shoot.

The commemorative...


Anything gold plated, engraved, or just plain ostentatious.
I can enjoy an engraved gun just fine, but the gold plated pimped out guns are not my taste.

 

[Dan Zulu]

The only commemorative S&W I would like to find is the rare Miami
Vice Commemorative model 4506 with the embroidered white sport coat and contrasting pink T shirt. Page 1983 in the SCSW.

 

[6string]

You ever notice that every gun show circuit has "that guy" with the table full of Winchester Commemorative 1894s?
He always has the same beaten down look, as if he just figured out he's never going to be able to unload those eyesores for the money he thought they'd be worth.
Is there anything that Winchester wouldn't commemorate? ("New for 1977, the Taft County Board of Auditors Carbine! Strictly limited edition of 50,000")
Smith & Wesson wasn't quite so bad.
I'm sure that the idea of the commemorative firearm has its origins in some noble intent. But, those lofty ideals have been long lost in a blinding sea of tacky gold plating, cheap roll marks vaguely simulating bad engraving, and sterile laser etching.

But, that's just my 2 cents....

 

[CLASSIC12]

You ever notice that every gun show circuit has "that guy" with the table full of Winchester Commemorative 1894s?
He always has the same beaten down look, as if he just figured out he's never going to be able to unload those eyesores for the money he thought they'd be worth.
Is there anything that Winchester wouldn't commemorate? ("New for 1977, the Taft County Board of Auditors Carbine! Strictly limited edition of 50,000")
Smith & Wesson wasn't quite so bad.
I'm sure that the idea of the commemorative firearm has its origins in some noble intent. But, those lofty ideals have been long lost in a blinding sea of tacky gold plating, cheap roll marks vaguely simulating bad engraving, and sterile laser etching.

But, that's just my 2 cents....

I couldn't agree more. We only have 2-3 gunshows in our small country but that guy is always there.

And there are so many in the classified that it's very hard to find a nice plain Jane Winchester

 

[VaTom]

Agree on the Winchesters! I have an NRA Centennial (1971) Winchester 94 my Dad gave me back in 1992 when he retired and moved out west. Have the box. He was not a hunter/gun guy and won it in a raffle. It has been in my safe since then, I take it out and wipe it down every so often. A beautiful rifle but never shot it or need it. Took it to local shop that specialized in antique and collectable firearms to see if I could trade for a S&W or other pistol or revolver. The older gentleman offered $450 in trade. Said it would make a nice deer rifle for someone as they are slow movers. Should have taken the deal but sentimental value coming from Dad made me keep it. Some books value them at around $750 NIB.

The only other similar piece I have is really not a commemorative but a reproduction Colt 1943 1911A1 made by the Colt Performance Center in 2001. Less than 3,000 made. I shoot it from time to time and it's value has increased over what I paid for it.

 

[dasnake]

Wow

I happen to like winny commemoratives, got three of them, got a 1959 30\30 all restored, got a couple of winny shorguns, I bought them because I like them, no biggie, I put them in the same purchases as my unfired saw revolvers, whatever I spend is my enjoyment, we don't drink or smoke or buy anything illicit so I smile whenever I play with the guns.
I look at things this way, do I need a 550 hp deezel dooley, not really, but do I enjoy having it, damn right, life is to short, I wanna enjoy it my way.

 

[Muley Gil]

Interesting thread, and I agree with Nightowl, and many others.

I bought a S&W 125th when they came out. Sold it within a year for what I paid.

I've had a Wyoming 100-year commemorative Winchester and Colt SAA. Long gone, and good riddance.

I have one Chiefs Special commemorative -- it's scroll engraved and recognizes the 55th anniversary (what a weird one to acknowledge) of the Virginia State Police. Mom and my Grandmother were born in a southern Virginia plantation house -- my tie to the state.

It's a pretty little thing, and I added it to the others in my herd of oddball Chiefs without regard to what value others would put on it. I don't believe anyone else would consider most in my herd collectable, but each one holds a special meaning to me.

"To be a Virginian either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from Above."

 

[7shooter]

I have a Haller Supreme Court decision commerative. I have never fired it.

My friend who was a criminal prosecutor and now a judge is jealous. I did let him touch it.

 

[tjpopkin]

I shy away mostly, although I have a few...
Dad's Bicentennial Winchester 94, with ammo, unfired.
The two handguns I actually like and bought are the Colt 100th anniversary 1911, which is true to its roots and done nicely in the Custom Shop. It is unfired. The S&W version is more modern, but a showpiece and displays nicely in the wooden case....in fact, it has a fabulous trigger and shoots dead-center POA.

 

[BARgunner]

The only commemoratives I've owned are S&W 544s, Texas Sesquicentennial Commemoratives. I bought both to shoot - try to find a double action 44-40, then try to find one with a 5" barrel, and finally find one 35 years old and unfired. Both of those I've bought (sold the first one in '13 before working overseas) and my current one were cheaper than regular N-frames in comparative condition. For the 44-40 shooters these were and are good value, even if you're not enamored of the logos.

I'm not a fan of commemoratives but I bought a NIB 544 just because it was a N frame in 44-40 and was under $700. It is a great shooter and that's exactly what I bought it for. I have to say the commemorative embellishments on it are pretty cheesy.

 

[biku324]

Extremely cheesy. That wagon rear on the side plate looks like the north end of a southbound husky. Hogue Monogrip pretty much covers it, though...

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have relatives (who made their money by inheritance) who collect commemorative weapons and keep them by the dozens in safes in their gun rooms and never shoot them. They may be worth a lot, but only to someone who can afford them. I stick to my shooters they put a bullet down range or into game as well as their commemorative counterparts and they reinforce their value every time they go bang. .As allows to each their own.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

You ever notice that every gun show circuit has "that guy" with the table full of Winchester Commemorative 1894s?
He always has the same beaten down look, as if he just figured out he's never going to be able to unload those eyesores for the money he thought they'd be worth.
Is there anything that Winchester wouldn't commemorate? ("New for 1977, the Taft County Board of Auditors Carbine! Strictly limited edition of 50,000")
Smith & Wesson wasn't quite so bad.
I'm sure that the idea of the commemorative firearm has its origins in some noble intent. But, those lofty ideals have been long lost in a blinding sea of tacky gold plating, cheap roll marks vaguely simulating bad engraving, and sterile laser etching.

But, that's just my 2 cents....

Winchester and Colt some degree commemorated everything from sun rise to sunset in the 70's & 80's. Winchester used those cheapened post64 94's. I had a friend(passed) that had 5 of those gawdy things. He thought he had a fortune. I didn't have the heart to tell him different. In reality they would sell for less than a used hunting 94.